Group pleased, and suprised, with premier's announcement on moratorium

By Mark Roberts

FOR THE SOU’WESTER

The primary spokesperson for Friends of Port Mouton Bay on Nova Scotia’s south shore literally forced back her tears March 12 as Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald announced an "indefinite" moratorium on more fin fish aquaculture farming in the bay. "I really want to thank everybody who worked so hard on this for these past three years," said Darlene Norman.

Premier MacDonald made the surprise announcement during his speech at a South Queens Chamber of Commerce meet and greet on March 12. He said the reasons for the moratorium are related to the area's protected lands, including Carter's Beach, and "because we're listening to the community."

Aqua Fish Farms Ltd., now primarily owned by Cooke Aquaculture in New Brunswick, applied about seven years ago to develop a 28-hectare (70 acres) salmon farm in Port Mouton Bay. It would have been the largest salmon site in Nova Scotia.

Cooke Aquaculture communications vice-president Nell Halse said the company still wants to consult with the community because it only recently became the majority shareholder of Aqua Fish. "We're walking into this discussion about half-way through. This decision to delay a decision… gives us all more time. We're new on this particular debate, and we'd like to meet with the community and introduce them to us. It's not just about persuading them, it's about hearing them out. We understand there are some major concerns or they wouldn't be so opposed."

After these initial discussion, she added, "We'll see where it goes from there."

Norman, on behalf of Friends of Port Mouton Bay, also thanked Queens MLA Vicki Conrad for her lobbying efforts and for promising to maintain the moratorium in the event a NDP government is formed in the future.

Conrad thanked the premier as well, but added, "The Premier may have announced the moratorium, but he did so because of the steadfast dedication and determination of the community. Congratulations to the Friends of Port Mouton Bay, local fishermen, environmentalists, and concerned citizens. Your hard work and dedication to our community is a victory for each and everyone of us.”

Friends of Port Mouton Bay, utilizing scientists, fishermen, environmental groups, academics and residents in general, carried out numerous scientific studies over the years in hopes of persuading the federal and provincial governments to reject the application.

Their primary argument was the bay didn't flush waste properly as it is a basin, which could destroy the area's pristine environment and therefore tourism, new home construction and, most of all, the area's historic lobster fishery as well.

Halse said, however, Cooke Aquaculture's policy of engaging the community was successfully utilized in Shelburne, where residents and fishermen were consulted about that site's new placement and the operation in general.

When asked if the company would try to legally force the development, she said Cooke doesn't wish to debate the aquaculture issue with the media but that it needs more sites throughout Nova Scotia for fallowing purposes to make it a sustainable, environmentally friendly business.

The company's current, much smaller farm in Port Mouton Bay will remain open.